What is a Pelican Crossing?

A Pelican crossing is a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing found on roads across Great Britain. The name 'Pelican' is a portmanteau of 'Pedestrian Light Indication Crossing'. These crossings are activated by pedestrians pressing a button, which then triggers a sequence of traffic lights to stop vehicles and allow people to cross safely. They are designed to manage the flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic efficiently.

How Pelican Crossings Work for Drivers and Pedestrians

When a pedestrian presses the button at a Pelican crossing, the traffic lights for vehicles will go through a sequence:

• Green light: Traffic can proceed.
• Amber light: Traffic must stop unless it is unsafe to do so.
• Red light: Traffic must stop before the stop line.
• Flashing amber light: This is the most distinctive feature for drivers. After the red light, the amber light flashes. During this phase, drivers may proceed if the crossing is completely clear of pedestrians. You must give way to any pedestrians still on the crossing.
• Green light: Traffic can proceed as normal after the crossing is clear.

For pedestrians, the signals are:

• Red figure: Do not cross.
• Steady green figure: Check traffic has stopped, then cross with care.
• Flashing green figure: Do not start to cross, but if you have already started, you should have time to finish safely.

The Critical Flashing Amber Light Phase for Drivers

The flashing amber light phase at a Pelican crossing is a common point of confusion for many learner drivers. Unlike regular traffic lights, where a solid amber light always means 'stop unless unsafe to do so', the flashing amber at a Pelican crossing indicates that you may proceed if the crossing is clear of pedestrians. It's essential to understand that you must still give priority to any pedestrians who are still crossing. Failing to understand this rule can lead to hazards or failing your theory test.

Pelican Crossings in the Highway Code

The Highway Code, specifically Rule 22, details the rules for Pelican crossings. It instructs pedestrians to push the control button and wait for the steady green figure before crossing. For drivers, the rule implies that during the flashing amber phase, you must continue to give way to pedestrians already on the crossing, but you can move off if the crossing is clear. It also differentiates Pelican crossings from 'staggered' crossings (Rule 28), where a central refuge means they are effectively two separate crossings.

Pelican vs. Puffin Crossings: Key Differences

While both are signal-controlled pedestrian crossings, Pelican and Puffin crossings have key differences:

• Flashing Amber Light: Pelican crossings have a flashing amber light for drivers, allowing them to proceed if clear. Puffin crossings do NOT have this phase; traffic waits until a full green light appears.
• Pedestrian Signals: At a Pelican crossing, the pedestrian signal (red/green figure) is often on the opposite side of the road. Puffin crossings have the pedestrian signals above the push button, on the same side of the road as the pedestrian.
• Sensors: Puffin crossings often use sensors to detect if pedestrians are still on the crossing, extending the 'walk' time if needed. Pelican crossings have fixed timings.

Driving Safely at Pelican Crossings

When approaching a Pelican crossing, always be prepared to stop. Look out for pedestrians waiting to cross, and observe the traffic light sequence carefully. Pay particular attention during the flashing amber phase: do a quick but thorough check to ensure no pedestrians are still on the crossing or about to step onto it before you move off. Even if the lights are green, always scan the crossing for potential hazards, especially vulnerable road users.

Historical Context and Phasing Out in Great Britain

Pelican crossings were introduced in the UK in 1969 as the first definitive light-controlled crossings for pedestrians. However, in Great Britain, new Pelican crossings have not been installed on public highways since October 2016. They are being phased out and replaced by Puffin crossings, which are considered safer due to their adaptive timings and pedestrian signals being closer to the user. Despite this, many Pelican crossings still exist across the road network, so understanding them remains crucial for all drivers.